U.S. patent application number 13/218692 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for assembly of an electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to APPLE INC.. Invention is credited to John Benjamin Filson, Duane Lawrence Fowler.
Application Number | 20120073115 13/218692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40407115 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120073115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Filson; John Benjamin ; et
al. |
March 29, 2012 |
ASSEMBLY OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may
include a plate placed behind a screen formed from a window and a
display module to provide the screen with additional stiffness
(e.g., to resist dropping events). The window may be maintained in
the electronic device by trapping the window between a bezel and
the display module. In some embodiments, the window may include a
chamfered edge operative to be received by a recessed edge in the
bezel. In some embodiments, the input mechanism of the electronic
device may be metallic and need to be grounded, but may be
surrounded by plastic components or other non-grounding components.
The electronic device may include screws operative to pass through
a circuit board to reach a frame, which may serve as a ground,
where the screws are located in proximity of the button. In some
embodiments, the circuit board may include an additional component
for grounding the button
Inventors: |
Filson; John Benjamin; (San
Jose, CA) ; Fowler; Duane Lawrence; (Sunnyvale,
CA) |
Assignee: |
APPLE INC.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
40407115 |
Appl. No.: |
13/218692 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12204497 |
Sep 4, 2008 |
8023260 |
|
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13218692 |
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60967505 |
Sep 4, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/592.1 ;
156/91; 29/428; 29/525.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49002 20150115;
Y10T 29/4913 20150115; Y10T 29/49947 20150115; Y10T 29/49117
20150115; H04M 1/0266 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; H05K 5/0017
20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101; H05K 5/0013 20130101; Y10T 29/49126
20150115; H04M 1/0252 20130101; H01R 43/26 20130101; G06F 1/1656
20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; H04M 1/0249 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/592.1 ;
29/428; 29/525.01; 156/91 |
International
Class: |
H05K 13/04 20060101
H05K013/04; B32B 7/04 20060101 B32B007/04; B23P 11/00 20060101
B23P011/00 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A method for assembling an electronic device, the method
comprising: providing a case, wherein the case comprises: a bezel,
wherein the bezel comprises a planar portion having an opening at a
display region and a plurality of walls stepped vertically from an
outer periphery of the planar portion, the bezel forming an edge
about the perimeter of the opening, the edge comprising a first
chamfered portion angled from an exterior surface of the bezel at
the perimeter, away from the opening and from the exterior surface
of the bezel; a frame configured to support components of the
electronic device; and a window comprising a boundary about its
perimeter, the boundary comprising a second chamfered portion;
physically coupling the window to the bezel, such that the second
chamfered portion of the window mates with the first chamfered
portion of the bezel; and physically coupling the bezel to a first
side of the frame.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising physically coupling
a housing to a second side of the frame.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: physically coupling
a display module to a support plate; and retaining the display
module and the support plate within the frame such that the display
module is adjacent to and visible through the window.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first chamfered portion and
the second chamfered portion form complimentary angles.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein physically coupling the window
to the bezel comprises: inserting the window into the bezel from
the inside of the bezel; and physically coupling the display module
and the support plate to the bezel such that the window is trapped
between the bezel and the display module and the support plate.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the window comprises a glass
outer member and a plastic inner member that includes a flange for
coupling the display module to the electronic device.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein physically coupling the window
to the bezel comprises using at least one of an adhesive, tape,
mechanical fasteners, and a gasket.
26. A method for assembling an electronic device, the method
comprising: providing a frame comprising at least one step;
physically coupling a bezel to the frame, wherein the bezel
comprises a planar surface having an aperture and a plurality of
walls extending vertically from an outer edge of the planar
surface; retaining a display screen within the aperture; and
physically coupling a support plate between the display screen and
the frame, wherein the support plate comprises at least one tab
configured to engage the at least one step.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one tab is
retained within the at least one step using a frictional force.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the support plate is formed
from at least one of: a composite material, a polymer, and a
metal.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein the screen is physically
coupled to the plate using at least one of an adhesive and a
tape.
30. The method of claim 26, further comprising physically coupling
a window to the bezel, wherein the window is configured to be
placed within the aperture, and wherein the outer surface of the
window may be flush with the planar surface of the bezel.
31. A method for assembling an electronic device, the method
comprising: providing a bezel, comprising: a planar surface; a
first aperture for receiving an input mechanism; a second aperture
for receiving a window; and a plurality of walls extending
vertically relative to the planar surface; inserting the input
mechanism into the first aperture; physically coupling a frame to
the plurality of walls, wherein the frame serves as a circuit
ground; retaining a circuit board between the input mechanism and
the frame, wherein a path passing through the circuit board to
connect to the input mechanism to the frame is used to ground the
input mechanism.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the path comprises at least one
screw passing through the circuit board.
33. The method of claim 31, further comprising electrically and
physically coupling a spring to the circuit board and at least one
of the frame and the bezel.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the spring is electrically
coupled to the input mechanism using a copper path on the circuit
board.
35. The method of claim 33, further comprising electrically and
physically coupling a plurality of springs to the circuit board and
at least one of the frame and the bezel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/967,505, filed Sep. 4, 2007, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to mechanical features of an
electronic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may
include a frame, a bezel mounted to the frame, and a screen that
includes a window and a display module mounted to the frame. In
some embodiments, the screen may not be supported in its entirety
by the frame. To ensure that the screen does not crack or propagate
cracks, a plate may be coupled to the frame such that the screen
(e.g., the display module) rests on the plate. The plate may be
selected to increase the rigidity of the bezel.
[0004] In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an
input mechanism. In some embodiments, a button of the input
mechanism may be metallic and need to be grounded. Because the
input mechanism circuit board may be positioned between the button
and the frame, the path for grounding the button may need to pass
through the circuit board. In some embodiments, the button may be
grounded using at least one exposed screw that passes through the
circuit board, where the screw is operative to couple the circuit
board to the frame. In some embodiments, the button may be grounded
using a spring coupled to the circuit board and extending to reach
at least one of the bezel and the frame. The spring may be
electrically coupled to the button using a copper path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The above and other features of the present invention, its
nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an electronic device in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of an a electronic
device in which a window has been mounted in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an electronic device that
includes an input mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention; and
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of a circuit board in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an electronic device in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device
100 may include any suitable type of electronic device, including
for example a media player such as an iPod.RTM. available by Apple
Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., a cellular telephone (e.g., an
iPhone.RTM. available from Apple Inc.), a personal digital
assistant, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, gaming console,
set-top box, television system or television system component
(e.g., a recording device), or any other suitable electronic
device. Electronic device 100 may include a case formed from a
bezel and a frame, a screen constructed from a window and a display
module (e.g., as distinct elements or as a combined component) for
displaying information to a user, and a user interface (e.g., a
button) for providing inputs to the device. Frame 102 may provide
the structure of electronic device 100, and may be operative to
support some or all of the components of the electronic device
(e.g., a circuit board, an input mechanism, a screen, a hard drive,
or a battery). To form the outer surface of electronic device 100,
a housing may be placed over the bottom of frame 102 (not shown),
and bezel 130 may be placed over the top of frame 102. In some
embodiments, frame 102 may instead include an aesthetically
pleasing outer surface that may form part of the exterior of
electronic device 100. The housing and bezel 130 may be coupled to
frame 102 using any suitable approach, including for example an
adhesive, tape, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), a mechanical
element (e.g., a snap), or any other suitable approach.
[0011] Frame 102 may be manufactured using any suitable approach
and from any suitable material. For example, frame 102 may be
manufactured using one or more of forging, machining, forming,
stamping, molding, casting, tumbling, polishing, or any other
suitable process. Frame 102 may be manufactured any suitable
material, including for example plastic, a composite material,
metal, polymers, or any other suitable material. In some
embodiments, frame 102 may be constructed from an electrically
conductive material to serve as a ground for the electronic
device.
[0012] Bezel 130 may be manufactured from any suitable material and
using any suitable approach. For example, bezel 130 may be
manufactured from plastic, a composite material, metal, polymers,
or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, bezel 130 may
be manufactured from a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel)
and polished to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish. In some
embodiments, bezel 130 may be constructed using a Liquidmetal.RTM.
alloy (available from Liquidmetal Technologies of Lake Forest,
Calif.).
[0013] Electronic device 100 may include display module 120 for
providing displays to a user. Display module 120 may include any
suitable display module, including for example an LCD or plasma
screen. To protect display module 120 from damage, electronic
device 100 may include window 122 operative to be placed in
aperture 132 of bezel 130 such that that window 122 extends through
bezel 130. The outer surface of window 122 may be flush with outer
surface 131 of bezel 131 to provide a uniform appearance, while
bezel 130 may be placed against the bottom surface of window
122.
[0014] Window 122 may be coupled to the electronic device using any
suitable approach. In some embodiments, window 122 may be inserted
into bezel 130 from either the inside or outside of bezel 130, and
coupled to the periphery of opening 103 using an adhesive, tape
(e.g., double sided tape), mechanical fasteners, a gasket (e.g.,
gasket 124), or any other coupling mechanism. In some embodiments,
window 122 may include a glass outer member and a plastic inner
member that includes a flange for coupling display module 120 to
the electronic device. A more detailed description of an approach
for coupling a glass outer surface to a plastic inner surface may
be found in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/843,205, filed Aug. 22, 2007, incorporated herein in its
entirety.
[0015] Display module 120 may be retained in electronic device 120
using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, frame 102 may
include opening 103 substantially under display module 120 (e.g.
for receiving an electronic device component, such as a battery)
against which display module 120 may rest. Because the component
may not have a uniform surface, or not be placed directly in
contact with display module 120, the display module may be
susceptible to bending during drop events or during bend and
squeeze events. If the loads applied to window 122 or display
module 120 exceed a maximum, cracks in display module 120 may
propagate and distort the display of content on display module 120.
To provide additional stiffness to display module 120, electronic
device 100 may include support plate 110 between display module 120
and the other components of electronic device 100.
[0016] Support plate 110 may be coupled to frame 102 such that
support plate 110 is placed under substantially all of display
module 120. Plate 110 may be constructed from any material that has
a suitable stiffness, including for example plastic, a composite
material, a polymer, a metal, or any other suitable material. In
some embodiments, plate 110 may be constructed from stainless steel
(e.g., 301 series stainless steel). In some embodiments, display
module 120 may be coupled to plate 110 (e.g., using an adhesive,
tape, a mechanical fastener, or a mechanical element).
[0017] Plate 110 may be coupled to frame 102 using any suitable
approach. In some embodiments, frame 102 may be constructed such
that only three edges of plate 110 may rest on frame 102. For
example, plate 110 may be operative to rest only on beams 104, 105
and 106 of frame 102, which may partially define the periphery of
opening 103. To ensure that the remaining edge of plate 110 is
sufficiently stiff to uniformly support display module 120, the
remaining edge of plate 110 may include rib 112.
[0018] In some embodiments, plate 110 may be retained between
display module 120 and frame 102 by positioning features of frame
102 into steps or other features of frame 102 (e.g., and retaining
the plate using gravity). For example, plate 110 may include
several tabs 114, each tab 114 having a hole 116 operative to align
with holes in bezel 130 and frame 102 used to couple bezel 130 to
frame 102. For example, plate 110 may include four tabs 114, each
aligned with previously existing screw holes in bezel 130 and frame
102. By aligning tabs 114 where previously existing screws were
inserted into frame 102, plate 110 may be coupled to frame 102
without significantly changing frame 102 or adding a new component
to what may already be a small area.
[0019] In some embodiments, the window may include a chamfered edge
by which the window may be retained in the bezel. FIGS. 2A and 2B
are cross-sectional views of an electronic device in which a window
has been mounted in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. Electronic device 200 may include frame 202, plate 210,
window 220 and bezel 230, which may include some or all of the
features described above in connection with frame 102, plate 110,
display module 120 and bezel 130 (FIG. 1). Window 220 may include
chamfered edge 222, which may be chamfered at any suitable angle
(e.g., 35 degrees in FIG. 2A, 45 degrees in FIG. 2B). Chamfered
edge 222 may be operative to abut counterpart recessed edge 232 of
bezel 230. In some embodiments, the angle of recessed edge 232 may
be complimentary with the angle of chamfered edge 222 (e.g., 35 and
55 degrees in FIG. 2A, 45 and 45 degrees in FIG. 2B). Chamfered
edge 222 may extend around any suitable portion of the periphery of
window 220. For example, chamfered edge 222 may extend along some
or all of particular sides of window 220 (e.g., only along opposing
sides of window 220), around the entire periphery of window 220, or
at discrete portions of the periphery of window 220.
[0020] To retain window 220 within bezel 230, recessed edge 232 may
be chamfered inwardly from an outer surface to an inner surface of
bezel 230, and chamfered edge 222 may be chamfered outwardly from
an outer portion to an inner portion of window 220. Window 220 may
thus be inserted into the back surface of bezel 230 and retained
underneath bezel 230. Once window 220 has been properly positioned
in opening 103 (FIG. 1), and each chamfered edge 222 of window 220
equally abuts recessed edges 232 of bezel 230, plate 210 may be
coupled to bezel 230 (directly or via frame 202). Window 220 may
then be trapped between bezel 230 and plate 210. In some
embodiments, window 220 may in addition be coupled to bezel 230 or
plate 210 (e.g., using an adhesive or tape). Other approaches for
mounting a window to a device using a chamfer are described in
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/172,073 filed
Jul. 11, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0021] In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an
input mechanism. For example, the input mechanism may include
several buttons that extend through the surface of the bezel (e.g.,
a click-wheel). FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an electronic device
that includes an input mechanism in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention. Electronic device 300 may include frame 302 and
bezel 330, which may include some or all of the features of frame
102 and bezel 130 (FIG. 1). Bezel 330 may include aperture 332
operative to receive wheel 360 and button 362, which may serve as
the input mechanisms for the electronic device (e.g., the
components of a click-wheel). Wheel 360 and button 362 may be
electrically coupled to input mechanism circuit board 350. Circuit
board 350 may include several switches 352 (e.g., five dome
switches), wherein each switch 352 is operative to align with one
of the buttons of wheel 360 and button 362. In response to an input
on a button of wheel 360 or button 362, the status of the switch
associated with the selected button may be changed to indicate the
input to the circuit board.
[0022] In some embodiments, button 362 may be formed from a metal
or other conductive material. In such embodiments, it may be
necessary to ground button 362 (e.g., electrically connect button
362 to frame 302) to avoid electrostatic discharge (ESD). Because
board 350 may be positioned between button 362 and frame 302 (e.g.,
the ground), the path for grounding button 362 may be required to
pass through board 350. Electronic device 300 may include any
suitable approach for creating a path to a ground through circuit
board 350. In some embodiments, circuit board 350 may include
exposed copper that may be placed in contact with frame 302 or
bezel 330 to ground the circuit board. This approach, however, may
not be sufficient to ground portions of wheel 360 and button 362
that are not in contact with circuit board 350.
[0023] In some embodiments, board 350 may be coupled to frame 302
using screws 356 or another mechanical fastener. For example, board
350 may include holes 354 which may be aligned with screw taps in
frame 302. Board 350 may then be coupled to frame 302 by screws
356, which may pass through holes 354 and into frame 302. To use
screws 356 as a path to the ground, screws 356 may remain exposed
in board 350 once the board is coupled to frame 302 (e.g., solder
resist may be removed from the vicinity of screws 356). Then, when
a charge has built up in button 362 and needs to be released, the
charge may jump from button 362 to screws 356 and move down to
frame 302 (e.g., because screws 356 may be metallic and provide a
conductive path to the ground). In some embodiments board 350 may
include one or more resistors for further directing charges from
button 362 to move to screws 356 and away from other components of
circuit board 350.
[0024] In some embodiments, board 350 may instead or in addition
include a specific component operative to ground button 362. FIG. 4
is a top view of a circuit board in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention. Board 450 may include several switches 452 (e.g.,
dome switches) operative to align with the buttons of the wheel and
button of the input mechanism (e.g., wheel 360 and button 362, FIG.
3). Instead of or in addition to screws (e.g., screws 356, FIG. 3)
for coupling board 450 to the electronic device frame, board 450
may include another component for grounding the metallic button of
the input mechanism (e.g., button 362). Board 450 may include one
or more conductive springs 456 soldered to board 450 and operative
to extend from board 450 and contact a ground surface (e.g., the
bezel, which may be coupled to the frame, or the frame). A copper
trace (not shown) may provide an electrical connection between
exposed metal corners of switches 452 located underneath the center
button (e.g., button 362) and springs 456. To ground the center
button, charges may jump from the center button to the exposed
metal corners of switches 452, follow the copper path to springs
456 (e.g., because springs 456 may be constructed from a conductive
material), and pass to the frame (or the bezel). In some
embodiments, board 450 may include one or more resistors on other
paths accessible from the center button to act as a shield
preventing charges accumulated in the button from jumping from the
exposed metal corners of switches 452 into the traces of the
board.
[0025] The above described embodiments of the invention are
presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and
the present invention is limited only by the claims which
follow.
* * * * *